Joining a swarm of Saudis taking to social media on Friday, veteran news broadcaster Abdullah al-Shihri said he would have preferred not to deliver the official announcement that King Abdullah was dead.
"I did not wish to announce this news," said Shihri, who wore a dark robe and traditional shemagh head covering to deliver the announcement from the royal court.
"May God have mercy on Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. Sincere prayers for his successor and crown prince," he wrote.
The ailing Abdullah died early Friday aged about 90, after almost a decade on the throne.
Many Saudis took to the Internet to praise the deceased monarch but some, including campaigners for free speech and women's right to drive, were less flattering.
Upon the demise of #KingAbdullah of #SaudiArabia we ask Allah to forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds and grant him paradise.
— Mufti Menk (@muftimenk) January 23, 2015
https://twitter.com/Faiyla/status/558403207454801920
https://twitter.com/nouff_ak/status/558500684870725632
Saudi Army News, an official account, expressed condolences and said: "This Twitter account will stop tweeting for three days in mourning of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, may God rest his soul".
Many tweeted a hadith, or saying of the Prophet Mohammed, that death on a Friday means that one's life ended well.
• Glad tidings for King Abdullâh inshaa Allâh | "There is no Muslim who dies on the day of Friday..." | pic.twitter.com/Lh6IMtaLt3
— MB 🇵🇸 (@MB8701) January 23, 2015
President Obama on the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. pic.twitter.com/8wXmZp6EGU
— White House Archived (@ObamaWhiteHouse) January 23, 2015
Our thoughts are with the people of Saudi Arabia, who have lost a guiding force in King Abdullah, during this hour of grief.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2015
I express my deepest condolences to the brotherly nation of Saudi Arabia & the family of King Abdullah Bin-Abdulaziz on this grievous day.
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) January 23, 2015
Received the sad news of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz's passing this morning. My condolences to the Saudi royal family & the people of KSA.
— Mohd Najib Tun Razak (@NajibRazak) January 23, 2015
Condolences to Govt and people of Saudi Arabia on the death of King Abdulla custodian of the two holy mosques. May Allah bless his soul.
— Mohamed Waheed (@DrWaheedH) January 23, 2015
#UNSG learns with sadness of passing of King of #SaudiArabia, says his leadership will be remembered http://t.co/Fv99Y1GpSm
— UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) January 23, 2015
#kingabdullah expires. May allah rest him in peace. Grateful for all development reforms he undertook all over the country . #SaudiArabia
— Waleed Hussain وليد حسين (@Waleed9009) January 23, 2015
We might have different views but one solid view I'd like us to all share is that #KingAbdullah was open minded and endorsed reforms
— Maria (@MKhoury281) January 23, 2015
King Abdullah took over at a time when Saudi Arabia was facing immense problem. He steadied the ship and ushered path-breaking reforms.
— Siraj Wahab (@sirajwahab) January 22, 2015
'I hope the strives you have made to further women's rights do not die with you. RIP ❤️#وفاة_الملك_عبدالله #عبدالله_بن_عبدالعزيز
— Natalie Namour (@NatalieNamour) January 23, 2015
https://twitter.com/sahar_shafqat/status/558503113078763521
https://twitter.com/majorlyp/status/558492210975764480
Saudi spin doctors would have us think #kingabdullah as the great reformer which would be true if we lived in the 12 century not the 21st
— John Smith (son of Harry Leslie Smith) (@Harryslaststand) January 22, 2015
https://twitter.com/OmarWaraich/status/558434030228885504
Remarkable 24 hours on the Arabian peninsula: #Yemen President resigns, #Saudi #KingAbdullah dies
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) January 23, 2015
With the Saudi King Abdullah passed on, I'd watch for a sudden jump in oil prices due to feared instability in the region.
— Frankie Lee (@frankiefedora) January 22, 2015
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia is dead. His death could spark a period of instability in the Arabian Peninsula... http://t.co/MmQojw30p1
— The Scrappy Tornado (@TornadoScrappy) January 23, 2015
World instability tonight: Yemen is overtaken, Saudi King Abdullah dies, & Israel has pics of new intercontinental ballistic missile sites.
— RockyRoadPatriot (@RockyRd_Patriot) January 23, 2015
https://twitter.com/AusPollieTweets/status/558409661930426368
The right to vote is a pathetic consolation prize for women who have little-to-no protection against violence under the law. #KingAbdullah
— Charlotte Clymer 🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) January 22, 2015
King Abdullah 'nudged Saudi Arabia forward' says the NYT. Yes. Women drivers not hanged or flogged. Just tried in anti-terror courts
— Talat Aslam (@titojourno) January 23, 2015
COMMENTS (5)
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Criticism on King Abdullah are mainly driven along secterain lines and we respect such differences of opinion. Regarding his services for his people, by far a majority of Saudis praise his services which is what matters. We should not sit outside Saudi Arabia and criticise him based on our own standards. I live in Saudi Arabia and know very well that he was widely respected amongst his countrymen and which is what matters the most. There will always be some criticism from some corners but he was well respected by common man here in Saudi Arabia. May Allah, the Almighty bless him for his good deeds.
The title should have been like Twitterati reacts to his death; Twitter did not officially say anything I think.
"King Abdullah: Twitter reacts to his death"
How can twitter react to his death??? People on Twitter can react to his death. As George Carlin once said "Try and pay attention to the language the rest of the world has agreed upon"
Even though, Shah Abdullah al-Saud was the last Saudi King I have respect for, let's not hold grudges against the dead. Everyone has their fair share of mistakes, his though, may have affected millions but fact remains the same, he is dead.